Clock-striking mechanism



(ModeL) I 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

S. P. ESTELL. (Hock Striking-Mechanism.

No. 240,013. Patented April 12, I881.

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(- Q 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

S. F. ESTELL. Clock Striking Mechanism.

No. 240,013. Patented April 12,1881.

N-PETERS, PHOTOMTHOGRAPNER. WASHINGTON UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE,

SAMUEL ESTELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CLOCK-STRIKING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 240,013, dated April 12, 1881.

Application filed February 3, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL F. Es'rELL, of the city ofChicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Striking-Clocks, of which the following is a full and complete description, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawin gs.

My invention relates to that class of striking-clocks known as signal-clocks, in which only a single stroke of the bell is sounded at remote intervals during the hour, as may be desired, the strikingtrain being dispensed with.

Figures 1 and 2 respectively represent somewhat different mechanism for accomplishing the purpose. Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofa marine-clock case, presenting the rear plate, whereon are shown parts by means of which the striking mechanism is manipulated to change the intervals of striking.

In Fig. 1 of the present examples plates N and R represent parts of the frame of an ordinary marine clock.

F represents the minute hand arbor, on which is located colleFG.

A A A represent pins projecting from the side of said collet, ofwhich there are four. Pins A are graduated in length and occupy positions at about equal distances from the axis of said minute-hand arbor. A slight variation in the distance of the pins from the axis of the arbor may be necessary, in order to compensate for the curvature of motion, as hereinafter set fort-h,.of the end of arm B.

D represents the hammer-shaft, to which is attached the arm or projection bearing the hammer I and the arm or lever B, the latter extending to collet G. Shaft D has a stationary journal-bearin gin the front plate, It. The opposite or rear end of shaft D has its bearin g in a swivel-plate, c, the latter being pivoted at its upper end to plate N. A pin, C, secured to plate 6, projects through a curved slot in the rear plate of the clock-case. A bifurcated lever, L, is pivoted on the outside of said rear plate, as shown. in Fig. 3, said lever being pivoted at a, on or near a line corresponding to the length of swivel-plate c, with the bifurcations straddling said pin. By moving the index end of lever L laterally it is evident that pin C,and consequently the end of shaft D, is moved in an opposite direction, thus changing the position of said shaft angularly with relation to the clock-train. The arm or lever B being rigidly attached to shaft D, the latter, when moved, as described, causes the end of arm B in proximity to collet G to describe an arc. Sufficient movement is thus given to arm B to throw its end in contact with the shortest pin on collet G or in the opposite direction andentirely free from contact with either pin.

The longest of the pins Ais so located upon the collet, with relation to rotation, that arm B, and consequently the hammer, is tripped and strikes once at the h g ur. Thenextlonger pin produces the stroke at tliehalf-hour and the two shorter ones, respectively, at the quarterhours-that is, when the arm B is sufficiently near the collet to come in contact with the shortest pin, a stroke of the hammer is produced by successive contact with all the pins once in fifteen minutes. "When lever L is shifted, and thereby the angular position of shaft D changed, the end of arm B is made to vary in distance from the collet, and thus determines the number of pins with which said arm comes in contact, whereby the intervals between strokes of thehammer are varied as may be desirable. A spiral spring, J, surrounds shaft D in the usual manner to cause sufficient reaction in the operation of tripping, and K represents the stop on shaft D, to prevent the hammer from resting on the bell.

In Fig. 2 the strikingparts are shown with the frame omitted, in which the adjustment is obtained by pivoting arm or lever B on shaft D at C. The end B of said lever B extends through the rear plate of the clock-case, a slot being provided therefor, where it is operated by means of lever L, as in the foregoing example. In the latter example shaft D has stationary journal-bearings at both ends. The outwardlycurved prongs of lever L admit of sufficient 5 play between them of arm or lever B to not interfere with the movement of said arm in the operation of striking, as might otherwise occur when the construction is that shown in Fig. 2.

Iam aware that longitudinal adjustment of arm B and hammer I, in combination with shaft D by means of a cam has been in use to accomplish the purpose; but my methods of construction have their advantages in the cheapness and certainty of action without liability of becoming disarranged.

."Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The angularly-adjustable shaft D, with pins A, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The bifurcated lever L, swivel-plate a, shaft D, and arm B, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

SAML. F. ESTELL.

Witnesses:

HoMER J. BARGIS, J OSEPH RIDGE. 

